Articles Written By
Jody J. Pawel

Your child starts out the night in his own bed, but usually gets up while you are still doing things on the household chore list.
Instead of finishing the chores, you go to his room and lay with him until he falls asleep.
You are up later to get everything done.
After you are asleep, your child comes into your bedroom sometime during the night.
You are tired, so you just let him climb into the family bed.
However, not everyone sleeps well when this happens. You or your spouse toss and turn or feel cramped.
Plus, you hear horror stories and expert warnings about the dangers of the family bed.
One... (Read More ...)

The December holidays are coming to a close.
As you come to from your turkey-induced drowsiness and look around, you feel a spark of motivation to use your few days off work to tackle some household chores you’ve been meaning to get to.
The end of the year is drawing near and you are getting into the New Year spirit of “out with the old, in with the new” — and there’s a lot of “new” around you.
As you walk through the house, you see piles of gifts everywhere!
You immediately feel overwhelmed with all the clutter and quickly shift your attitude and decide it is time to get things organized.
You... (Read More ...)

You are cleaning up in the kitchen.
You hear your children playing in the family room.
You see them run upstairs.
When you are done cleaning the kitchen, you go to sit down in the family room to take a break and watch T.V.
Toys are strewn all over. There is even a pile on the couch and you are unable to sit down without being poked by a toy.
You are irritated!
The room looks like a tornado hit it.
Now you have to straighten up this room before you can sit down to relax.
Messy rooms. Almost every parent can relate to this problem. In their fun and glee, children scatter toys throughout the room... (Read More ...)

You are busy getting ready for the holiday family gatherings that are quickly approaching.
While out shopping at the mall, your children start clamoring for you to take them to see Santa so they can give them their wish list. You want to do this on a day when you can get them dressed for the photo opportunity, so you tell them to wait until you can plan that outing another day.
They protest in unison, “We wanna see Santa! We wanna see Santa!”
You tell them you want them to look nice for Santa.
They don’t care. They start throwing a joint tantrum, each one egging on the other. They are carrying... (Read More ...)

What is Discipline?
Discipline comes from the word “disciple,” which means “to follow one who teaches.” So the focus is on children learning lessons, such as “I have a choice about my behavior,” “My behavior choices affect me and other, so I need to choose wisely,” and “I am responsible for my own behavior choices and the outcomes they cause.
Punishment usually teaches are unhealthy lessons, such as “I’m a bad person,” “I need to behave so I can avoid someone else doing something hurtful to me,” and “It’s okay to do something wrong if I can get away with it, because... (Read More ...)

Real News Headlines:
Colorado boy, 3, dies after being left home alone — mom charged with child abuse.
Orlando, Florida: Deputies: Child tied to door, left alone in home with sibling.
Former police officer charged with child abuse for force-feeding his 15-year-old daughter hot sauce.
Tennessee couple charged with murder and child abuse for allegedly forcing their 5-year-old daughter to chug more than two liters of water and grape soda.
Dayton, Ohio, 2013: Father Who Beat His Girls For Allegedly Twerking & Sneaking Out The House Indicted On Corporal Punishment Charges.
2014: New Kansas... (Read More ...)

Here is a list of all the Parents Toolshop ® holiday-related articles. They are packed with tips to get you through this hectic time of year so you can spend more time with your family creating special memories to cherish for years to come.
How Do You Teach Children To Have An Attitude Of Gratitude & Instill A Spirit Of Giving?
December Holidays: How Can You Instill The Spirit Of Giving When Children Get the Holiday Gimmees? (shopping with/for kids, giving vs. receiving)
December Holidays: Is it Okay to Use Threats About Santas Good Bad List For Child Discipline? (December Discipline... (Read More ...)

My birthday is December the 22nd. I was brought home from the hospital Christmas morning and put under the tree. Because my birthday is so close to Christmas, my parents always went out of their way to make sure that it was a separate celebreation and special.
On my eighth birthday, Santa came to my birthday party, at my house. We all sat on his lap and told him the gifts we wanted. When he left out the front door, my mom told us to run to the back sliding glass door so we could wave to him as he flew off in his sleigh.
So eight little girls ran to the back window — and within seconds we... (Read More ...)

Tonya is among the ranks of stay-at-home moms. She thinks it is important to be the primary caregiver for her child throughout the early years.
Although Tonya enjoys being able to see her child reach all the first milestones, she finds herself longing for the adult companionship she had with her co-workers and is dealing with loneliness, like most stay at home moms.
Tonya wishes there was a way to connect with other stay at home moms so they can support one another and remain sane.
Stay at home moms get no sick leave, days off, or vacation time. They are on duty 24/7. If you are a stay at... (Read More ...)